Centre for Advancement in Inclusive and Special Education

Faculty of Education The University of Hong Kong

TDG Project

Project on Enhancing Learning Experience for Students with Visual Impairment in Higher Education (2019 – 2022)

Principal investigator
Dr. Patcy Pui Sze YEUNG, Faculty of Education, the University of Hong Kong
Co-investigators
Dr. Florence Ka Yu WU, Faculty of Education, the University of Hong Kong
Ms. Beina Lai Fong CHAN, Unit for Students with Special Educational Needs, Office of Student Affairs, Hong Kong Baptist University
Dr. Simon Tat Ming NG, HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education
Project manager
Dr. Gloria Yuet Kwan MA, Faculty of Education, the University of Hong Kong

Funded by the HKU Teaching Development Grant, this Project aims to advance the equality and diversity in the learning environment and experience at local higher education institutions by examining the learning experience of students with visual impairment in higher education and to explore effective and innovative practices to enhance their learning and whole-person development in higher education.

Guideline on fostering practices for disability inclusion at higher education institutions

This Guideline is one of the project deliverables. It is a compilation of recommended practices that promote an accessible and inclusive teaching and learning environment for students with disabilities at higher education institutions. Sources of data included a review of websites of 76 local and international higher education institutions, focus group interviews, external review, as well as research team members’ input. The recommended practices cut across the cultural, policy, community, inter-university, intra-university, environmental, language and symbolic, technological, interpersonal, and individual levels. The recommended practices also correspond to different stages of higher education from students’ perspectives.

Current version: Trial Version – November 2021 (in English; 146 pages; PDF format)
Guideline full text: https://doi.org/10.25442/hku.17032685

Content structure

The Guideline contains 16 chapters, 1 annex, and 1 appendix.

Chapter 1: Project background

Chapter 2: Basic concepts of rights-based guiding principles

Chapters 3-8: Essential practices of the co-creation and management of an accessible and inclusive campus at different ecological levels

  1. Concerted efforts by universities and the community
  2. Intra-university coordination
  3. Campus environment accessibility
  4. Awareness-raising
  5. Effective and inclusive communication
  6. Accessible event planning

Chapters 9-16: Stages of higher education

  1. University application
  2. Accessibility service initiation
  3. Orientation series for new students
  4. Living on campus
  5. Non-academic support and activities
  6. Academic support
  7. Career planning and development
  8. Graduation

The Annex: Recommendation on government support

The Appendix: List of examples of preferred terminology in relation to the Chapter 5.5 on Inclusive Terminology

Target readers
Anyone who are interested to learn about disability inclusion at higher education institutions, particularly:

  • Current students with disabilities
  • Current students without disabilities
  • Staff members of higher education institutions
  • Prospective students with disabilities
  • Advocates

Suggested citation
Ma, G. Y. K., Chan, B. L. F., Wu, F. K. Y., Ng, S. T. M., Ip, E. C. L., & Yeung, P. P. S. (2021). Enhancing Learning Experience for Students with Visual Impairment in Higher Education. Guideline on fostering practices for disability inclusion at higher education institutions. (Trial ed.). The University of Hong Kong. (146 pages.). https://doi.org/10.25442/hku.17032685

© The University of Hong Kong 2021
This Guideline is not for sale or profit-making purposes.

Enquiry contact
Email: ideaprojects@hku.hk